Low Vision Center

The Frank Stein and Paul S. May Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation is supported fully by the Pacific Vision Foundation and is located in Suite 430 at the Pacific Vision Eye Institute.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments by providing them with the tools, skills, and support they need to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

What is Low Vision?

Low Vision refers to vision impairment that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. In the U.S., this loss of vision is most often caused by acquired eye diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, but can also be congenital, caused by an injury, or result as a complication of a systemic condition, such as diabetes. As a result, it can negatively affect a person’s ability to perform their everyday activities, such as reading, driving, working or watching television.

What is Low Vision Rehabilitation?

Low vision rehabilitation helps people participate in everyday activities they need and want to participate in, such as reading, cooking, and getting around more easily. Low Vision Rehabilitation Services can be helpful to anyone who feels their level of vision negatively impacts their daily functioning abilities.

Who Can Benefit from Low Vision Rehabilitation?

Vision rehabilitation requires a team approach where the patient is considered the star player. Low Vision Rehabilitation Services can be helpful to anyone who feels their level of vision negatively impacts their daily functioning abilities. Though Low Vision Medical professionals are not able to cure the causes of vision loss we can help individuals use their remaining vision to its fullest potential.

Those with acuity less than 20/60 in better seeing eye, constriction of visual field or peripheral visual defect, central scotoma, and low contrast deficit.

Typical Insurance Guidelines for Coverage

A written referral from your doctor (e.g. primary care provider, ophthalmologist, etc.) or optometrist.

What Can I Expect?

• Low vision evaluations, including quantifying visual acuities, contrast sensitivity measurements, low luminance testing, and peripheral and central visual field measurements

• Comprehensive refraction using techniques developed specifically for persons with low vision patients

• Glare reduction, including tint assessments

• Low vision device evaluation, including strong reading spectacles, optical and video magnifiers, and telescopes

• Rehabilitation counseling and connections to community agencies and support services